The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-10

sunday-Sch Lesson for April II. 1887.
JOSEPH MAKES HIMSELF KEowN.-Gen. xiv, lis.
Golden Text-Overcome evil with good.-Romans
Xii, 81.
We have strong proof outside of the Bible of
the fact Of the long famine in old Egypt. 1t is
found in an Egyptian tomb of the age Of Joseph
A certain official of the government tells the
story Of his life on the walls Of his sepulcher.
Among other things he has recorded his work
of collecting the harvests. and afterward, "when
q famine arose. lasting many years, issued out
corn to the city at each famine Tor. to each
hungry person.p Brugsch, 1.-THE best authority
locates this tomb in the age of Joseph. Within
the historic period there has been one other
famine Of equal length, A. D. 1064-1071. caused
by long drought. Osburn, in his book, Monu-
mental History of Egypt, shows that about
this time 1.-The great Lake of Ethiopia be-
gan to break its barriers, at first increasing
the riches of the Nile deposits and so causing
years of plenty; hut after a few years the river
would pour its wealth over the dry bed of this
empty lake. which so absorbed its riches as to
rob lower Egypt and so result in great scarcity
lower down in the corn lands This would in
part explain the famine.
For some reasons we Go not know, probably
from a general drought. this famine was felt in
4Beersheba, where Jacobs family lived. 1t may
be that they were frequently dependent upon
Egypt for corn. when Jacob saw that there
was corn in Egypt" (Gen. xiii, u, he sent his
sons down to buy Other traders who passed
along the great highway of travel leading by
Beersheba doubtless carried corn from that
favored land, for "all countries came into Egypt
Nine years previously Joseph had been placed
In power and during the seven that followed he
had stored immense quantities OF corn, and 1t
was all under his control Two years Of the
had aad nd fha of
. second time. bringing Benjamin with them &C.
cording to the commands of Joseph. We have
(Chap. xiii, 2634) beautiful picture of the life
and customs of the court, and charming por-
traiture of Joseph. There is also in the famous
tomb Of BENZ Hassan a picture on the walls of
something like this coming of the of
Jacob into Egypt that many believe it refers to
the same event. Joseph was about thirty-nine
years of age, and had two children. His wife,
Asenath, the daughter of the high priest of On,
gave Joseph an alliance with the highest and
most favored class in the land. The priests
class was next to the king. and the priests of
Heliopolis or On ranked all others in Egypt
GENERAL OUTLINE.
/. Joseph reveals himself to his brethren.
2 Joseph reveals the ways of God.
3. Joseph reveals his own plans.
GENERAL APPLICATION.
L A Kind, Forgiving Heart-Joseph most
forcbly illustrates the nobility of man who
rises above revenge and enmity, and who does
and treats with real kindness the men who have
injured him.
2. A Broad, Strong Faith-The faith of
Joseph in the power and providence Of God has
in it breadth of view and defnteness of trust
He looks over the whole field and teaches
lesson of faith worthy of our higher Christian
age.
8. A Noble Use Of Power-Joseph accepted
his power and place as the gifts of God, to be
used for the highest good of man. In giving
Goshen to Jacob and his brothers he does not
displace Others but puts them in charge of
district that the Nile was even then building and
extending.
SPECIAL APPLICATION.
1. Joseph revealed himself to his brethren in a
way that worked genuine repentance and made
their salvation possible.
2 Joseph was able to overcome evil with
good" and to make even the results Of sin work
for the glory OF God.
g. Joseph opened for those who were his enc
mics rich and abundant land-the Goshen of
Christian experience.